Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway brought his revised proposal on international student post-study work rights to Cabinet and is expected to make an announcement on Wednesday.

A Government announcement on its overhaul of the international student work visa scheme is imminent.

In an effort to stamp out exploitation, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway, proposed removing the requirement for post-study work visas to be sponsored by a particular employer.

It would also limit the length of post-study work visas for courses below degree level to one year and remove post-study work rights for courses of less than two years in duration. Graduates could apply for other visas at the end of their post-study work visa but would need to meet the skills and labour market tests.

Proposals to change student post-study work rights announced in June are aimed at helping eliminate migrant exploitation but came under fire for putting the tertiary education sector at risk.

There would also be a requirement for international students studying level eight or nine qualifications to be in an area specified in the Long Term Skills Shortage List in order for their partner to be eligible for an open work visa, and in turn the partner's dependent children to be eligible for fee-free compulsory schooling.

The proposals came under fire from the National Party and international education providers.

Concerns were raised that under the plan to limit post-study work rights, 44,000 fewer students might come to New Zealand each year, a drop of more than a third that would cost the economy more than $1 billion a year.

The proposals are understood to have been revised after 2000 public submissions were received.

Lees-Galloway has not given any detail on potential changes but last week said they would demonstrate the Government listened.

But it is understood he will make an announcement on Wednesday ahead of his speech at The New Zealand International Education Conference on Thursday.

Last week Aspire2 International chief executive Clare Bradley speculated changes might be related to universities and polytechs and adding graduate diplomas to the top level, which would keep them happy, she said.

"It would not address the concerns we have about level seven diplomas and below, where there is a significant reduction in the work rights."

She believed many students would look at their options in other countries if their post study work rights were removed in New Zealand.

(Source: Stuff, Collette Devlin)